‘SOARING IN THE SKIES OF THE WORLD, THIS MAN, KARMAPA’: Translation of praise to 17th Gyalwang Karmapa composed by Karma Kagyu heart-son, 11th Pawo Rinpoche, used in a Tibetan song

"A ‘cool’ youth of TibetWith extended wings of ‘intelligence’Soaring in the skies of the world,This man, Karmapa." --verse from 11th Pawo Rinpoche's Praise 'This man, Karmapa' A few days ago I noticed that a Tibetan song for the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, using words of praise composed by the 11th Nenang Pawo Rinpoche himself, was posted… Continue reading ‘SOARING IN THE SKIES OF THE WORLD, THIS MAN, KARMAPA’: Translation of praise to 17th Gyalwang Karmapa composed by Karma Kagyu heart-son, 11th Pawo Rinpoche, used in a Tibetan song

‘COURAGEOUS HEROIC’ EXAMINATION OF A QUALIFIED VAJRAYĀNA STUDENT AND GURU: The issue of samaya-breaking gurus and students, the necessary qualities of a qualified student and guru, who to avoid and follow after examination (Fifty Verses, 17th Karmapa, Day 6)

"The courageous/heroic teacher and student, since they would stray from the same samaya,  first should examine the connection between the master and disciple." "Wise students do not take as a guru, Someone who is lacking compassion, angry, cruel, arrogant, unrestrained desires, greedy and full of themselves ."--Verses 6 and 7 Fifty Verses "Individuals should not… Continue reading ‘COURAGEOUS HEROIC’ EXAMINATION OF A QUALIFIED VAJRAYĀNA STUDENT AND GURU: The issue of samaya-breaking gurus and students, the necessary qualities of a qualified student and guru, who to avoid and follow after examination (Fifty Verses, 17th Karmapa, Day 6)

THE TRANSLATOR’S HOMAGE TO VAJRASATTVA AND ‘SECRET MUDRAS UNDER THE ROBES’: opening stanza, homage to and meaning of the word ‘Vajrasattva’, reason for composing the texts, and the importance of secrecy in secret mantra practice and the meaning of ‘bowing down to the lotus feet of the guru’ (Fifty Verses on the Guru, Day 3, 17th Karmapa)

"Relying on/serving a guru has been described in many stainless tantras, I shall explain it in brief. Listen respectfully to this." --lines from opening verse of Fifty Verses on the Guru "In particular, Dromptonpa said there is this tradition of saying "I prostrate to the Lord of Secrets" at the beginning of Vajrayana texts. In… Continue reading THE TRANSLATOR’S HOMAGE TO VAJRASATTVA AND ‘SECRET MUDRAS UNDER THE ROBES’: opening stanza, homage to and meaning of the word ‘Vajrasattva’, reason for composing the texts, and the importance of secrecy in secret mantra practice and the meaning of ‘bowing down to the lotus feet of the guru’ (Fifty Verses on the Guru, Day 3, 17th Karmapa)

Losar Tashi Delek! New Year greetings from Chinatown, message and advice from 17th Gyalwang Karmapa and footprint he left in rock as the boy, Apo Gaga

"May we not engage in jealousy, rivalry/competitive mind, bullying and harassing each other, and may we all help and benefit each other."--17th Karmapa (Losar speech 2024) Today (10th February), is the first day of the Tibetan New Lunar Year 2151, Losar and also the Chinese New year. I shared some photos of the Chinese New Year… Continue reading Losar Tashi Delek! New Year greetings from Chinatown, message and advice from 17th Gyalwang Karmapa and footprint he left in rock as the boy, Apo Gaga

THE CHILDHOOD AND UNIQUE LINEAGES OF FIRST KARMAPA: Dusum Khyenpa’s childhood and key dates, important teacher the ‘mercurial’ Vairochanavajra, and Lineage Holder of Palden Lhamo and five-deity Tara direct from Atisha  (17th Karmapa teaching, December 2023)

“It is probably fine to say the teachings of Palden Lhamo are both the ancestral heritage as well as the paternal family lineage of the Karma Kamtsang.” --17th Karmapa (December 2023) “Those who uphold the precious Dagpo Kagyu lineage supplicate you the venerable one. Master of the Daglho Gampo monastery,` return to your home.” –Jigten… Continue reading THE CHILDHOOD AND UNIQUE LINEAGES OF FIRST KARMAPA: Dusum Khyenpa’s childhood and key dates, important teacher the ‘mercurial’ Vairochanavajra, and Lineage Holder of Palden Lhamo and five-deity Tara direct from Atisha  (17th Karmapa teaching, December 2023)

AN EMANATION OF VAJRAVĀRĀHĪ MAKING NĀRO, MARPA AND MILA PROUD! The unparalleled and amazing Dharma Activities and Teachings of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (and Kagyupas): An annual 2023 review

"In any case, we have our own special instructions of our own particular lineage. We have a treasure that we need to cherish and preserve it. If we can do so, then only then can we dare show our faces to the lineage masters of the past and dare say that  we are upholding the… Continue reading AN EMANATION OF VAJRAVĀRĀHĪ MAKING NĀRO, MARPA AND MILA PROUD! The unparalleled and amazing Dharma Activities and Teachings of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (and Kagyupas): An annual 2023 review

REMEMBERING THE ‘GREY-HAIRED ONE FROM KHAM’: 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa commemorative praise and opening speech for the Kagyu annual winter debate and teaching (Guncho) by the 17th Karmapa

"Victors of the three times declared your praise-worthy name/characteristics,Primordial awareness dakinis offered the lineage crown,The victory banner of accomplishment penetrates all-areas,Today, remembering the 'grey-haired Khampa." --Commemorative Praise to 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa by 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje Today is the commemorative anniversary for the 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, otherwise known as the 'grey-haired' one… Continue reading REMEMBERING THE ‘GREY-HAIRED ONE FROM KHAM’: 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa commemorative praise and opening speech for the Kagyu annual winter debate and teaching (Guncho) by the 17th Karmapa

Laying the foundation at the Karmapa Park Project? The question of the 17th Karmapa’s ongoing absence at Rumtek Monastery during the 14th Dalai Lama’s visit this month

On 11th December, it was reported in the Indian and Tibetan exile media, that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama had begun his visit to Sikkim, after 13 years absence to give a teaching there.  As of yet, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje (supreme head of the Karma Kagyu lineage) has still… Continue reading Laying the foundation at the Karmapa Park Project? The question of the 17th Karmapa’s ongoing absence at Rumtek Monastery during the 14th Dalai Lama’s visit this month

THE IMPORTANCE OF CONFESSING DOWNFALLS AND PURIFICATION: 17th Karmapa’s recent advice to recite the Sutra in Three Sections and Vajrasattva and 17th Karmapa’s call to practice

"Whatever karmic veils I may have developed that would lead to the hells, or to the animal realm, or to the land of the pretas, or to birth in border regions, or amongst barbarians, or amongst the long-lived gods, or that would lead to incomplete sense faculties, or holding wrong views, or to not rejoicing… Continue reading THE IMPORTANCE OF CONFESSING DOWNFALLS AND PURIFICATION: 17th Karmapa’s recent advice to recite the Sutra in Three Sections and Vajrasattva and 17th Karmapa’s call to practice

‘From Little to Big’: 17th Gyalwang Karmapa on the importance of individual efforts on the environment and excessive packaging (2023)

"These days, whatever you get comes with a great deal of packaging and that is a problem. Therefore, whenever you give gifts to others, try to use the minimum possible packaging." "If we think from little to big, that will be easier to work with in our minds, and more convenient to practice in our… Continue reading ‘From Little to Big’: 17th Gyalwang Karmapa on the importance of individual efforts on the environment and excessive packaging (2023)